Shearwater Perdix 3 Dive Computer

On long technical dives, remote trips and cold-water days, a large display and a battery that can be changed in the field are practical advantages, not luxuries. The Shearwater Perdix 3 is for divers who put that readability, serviceability and broad progression path ahead of compact wristwatch styling. Its 2.4-inch full-colour AMOLED display uses a 450 x 600 resolution with Standard, Big and Tec layouts, leaving room to organise information around the task rather than squeeze it into a small screen.

The mode set covers Air, Nitrox, three-gas Nitrox, open-circuit multi-gas Trimix, fixed-setpoint closed-circuit with bailout, Gauge and Freediving. Bühlmann ZHL-16C with adjustable gradient factors supports decompression planning across those configurations, and integrated no-decompression and decompression planners assist with disciplined pre-dive preparation. Its 260-metre depth rating, technical gas support and CCR functions belong with trained divers carrying demanding plans, not with someone buying a premium recreational upgrade for its own sake.

Air integration can be expanded to four compatible transmitters. Standard pressure transmitters provide cylinder data, while Shearwater's GPS transmitter can add surface entry and exit coordinates to transferred logs. No transmitter is included, so the receiving computer and pressure system can be configured around single-cylinder, sidemount, technical or rebreather procedures. A three-axis tilt-compensated compass keeps navigation on the main display.

Power is one of the clearest reasons to choose Perdix 3. It uses a single user-replaceable AA and supports several battery chemistries, with runtime and vibration behaviour depending on the cell fitted. The included cell is an Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA, which is also the chemistry Shearwater recommends and rates for up to 60 hours. On expedition travel or a tight dive schedule, carrying a compatible spare is often more useful than depending on access to a charger.

Perdix 3 is the right call when large-format clarity, Trimix, CCR and replaceable AA power are genuine requirements. Teric offers comparable technical reach in a much smaller rechargeable form. Peregrine TX is the more economical large-screen choice when three-gas Nitrox, sidemount and optional pressure integration cover the planned diving without the need for full technical modes.